A deserved win for the Midlanders in an anxious match
Reading never looked like taking control but neither did the
Claret and Blues; Aston Villa seemed comfortable in midfield but in the final
third flooding Reading defenders made them look very ordinary, on the flip side
Reading looked dangerous on the break and made their way into Villa’s final
third with ease but lacked somebody who was willing to take control of the
second phase.
Team balance was a problem for both teams, Roberts constantly
pushed the Villa defence back but lacked a partner or midfielder to support him,
while Villa’s Agbonlahor and Benteke found their best fortune going it alone.
Reading’s midfield were anonymous as a team, Robson-Kanu did
pull the Villa defence around and Leigertwood closed down the dangerous plays with
ease but their fragility was exposed while defending set pieces from a dangerous
Bannan. Bannan showed glimpses of brilliance but offered a swagger of over
confidence which was only quietened when Ireland stepped onto the pitch,
fitting then that it was Westwood’s corner from which Benteke headed in the winner,
the first right footed corner Villa had tried. This 80th minute goal
was deserved, but looked unlikely.
The link between midfield and attack had been Bannan but he wasted many opportunities to play through the defence and sought to play the more difficult ball when he could, the same could not be said for Reading who on the day lacked any real ball players and struggled to find space.
Reading looked stale in attack but their defence looked dedicated, aided in part by their midfield. They didn’t really look tested on the ground and did a good job at closing the middle or forcing players out wide, unfortunately deep midfielders allowed Villa full backs to push high and their defenders to come up for set pieces. Clarke perhaps had more action in attack than he did defending.
Villa had a paper thin defence for this game and the injury of Stevens was a real blow, fortunately injury prone Baker continued after his knock and Lichaj filled in for Stevens with admirable quality. Lowton was a particular performer on the day and this caused Reading to stick to defensive positions, thus slowing their support, but the lack of experience still showed and players such as Clark, Lowton, Lichaj and Baker will need to remain mentally strong in the next few months.
Reading had real issues connecting up phases of play and squad depth isn’t going to assist them, Pogrebnyak who remained seated would’ve caused Villa problems, though an excellent Guzan would probably disagree, but little more graces their bench. The exciting McLeary had a few minutes but was dealt with easily by the impressive Lowton and this must be a concern for the Royals. Reading need a bit of a miracle before Christmas, as well as Guthrie, but with very difficult games ahead it could be a January transfer window that makes or breaks their season.
The same can be said for Villa, play and players are gelling but points are difficult to come by and wins even rarer; they deserved the 3 points against Reading but only managed it thanks to a LeFondre gift of a miss; something needs to develop and a player capable of taking control of the game and ball needs to be added.
